Roller applicator device

ABSTRACT

A roller applicator device wherein the device has readily changeable liquid-applying outer surface means.

United States Patent [72) Inventor John A. Macieod Edinburgh, Scotland[21] Appl. No. 790,123

[22] Filed Jan. 9, 1969 [451 Patented July 6, 1971 (73] Assignee DaycoCorporation Dayton, Ohio [54} ROLLER APPLICATOR DEVICE 8C1aims,6DrawingFigs.

[52) U.S.Cl 29/115, 29/117,101/375,101/400 s11 1m.c| B41g1/04 [50]FieldoiSearch 29/117,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 972,906 10/1910 Pancoast101/375 1,958,299 5/1934 Ericksson 101/401 2,996,981 8/1961 Reinartz eta1 29/117 X OTHER REFERENCES Also considered 2,890,517, 158,077, Br.;662,684 Gen; 3,289,631, 2,465,376, 916,037, 43,741, Austria; 876,725,

Gen; 566,010 Gen; 1,568,334, 1,395,468, 1,284,867, 1,230,190, 734,741,175,675, 1,050,015, 1,514,109, 3,023,699, 524,913, Fr.

Primary Examiner-Walter A. Scheel Assistant Examiner-Leon G. MachiinAttorney-Reuben Wolk ABSTRACT: A roller applicator device wherein thedevice has readily changeable liquid-applying outer surface means.

PATENTED JUL sum 3,590,452

sum 1 0F 2 FIG-\ 2 22 25 2 INVENTOR. JOHN A. MACLEOD ATTORNEYPATENTEUJUL 6197! 3,590,452

SHEET 2 OF 2 20M 22M FIG-6 22M IN VENTOR. JOHN A. MACLEOD ATTORNEYROLLER APPLICATOR DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is a commonpractice in the printing industry for a printer to apply a liquid suchas a suitable varnish over selected areas of a given article beingprocessed while leaving intermediate or other areas of such articleunvarnished. The present procedure is for a printer to cutcircumferential grooves into the liquid-applying surface of his rollerto a predetermined depth while keeping other portions of such roller ata full diameter to, in effect, define annular liquid-applying surfacesin the roller for each particular application. This technique is veryexpensive and requires the forming of a special liquid-applying surfacefor each application. Further, after the completion of a givenliquid-applying operation for a particular application it is highlyunlikely that the roller can be used for another application. Thus, theprinter is required to carry a large stock of rollers which must be cutfor each particular application. In addition, any error made in cuttinga particular roller for a given application requires that the roller bescrapped thereby increasing operating expenses.

SUMMARY This invention provides a roller device for applying liquidmeans, which is of simple and economical construction, requires thatonly a number ofcomponent parts be stocked by a printer, and has meansfor precisely locating its liquid-applying surface.

Other details, uses, and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent as the following description of the embodiments thereofpresented in the accompanying drawings proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings show presentexemplary embodiments of this invention, in which FIG. 1 is a front viewillustrating one exemplary embodiment of a roller device of thisinvention particularly adapted for applying liquid varnish to associatedsheet means;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 andparticularly illustrating a radially expandable member comprising theroller device of FIG. 1 made of a resilient rubberlike material andhaving sleeve means fastened in position concentrically therearound inthe form of a plurality of three annular bands each having an outerliquid-applying surface;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional viewparticularly illustrating the manner in which the radially expandablemember is urged tightly against an associated annular band to hold suchannular band in position;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view with parts in section and parts in elevationparticularly illustrating the roller device of FIG. 1 with its pluralityof three annular bands arranged in position concentrically around theradially expandable member and prior to fastening a central core memberof such roller device in position within the radially expandable member;

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional viewparticularly illustrating the construction of the substantiallyunstretchable annular band arranged at the right end of the rollerdevice of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and particularly illustrating theradially expandable member of FIG. 1 and its associated core componentsutilized together with a pair of identical annular bands each having alength which is different from the lengths of the annular bandsillustrated in FIG. 1 and with such pair of annular bands beingpositioned at different axial positions along the radially expandablemember.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Reference is now made to FIG. 1of the drawings which illustrates an exemplary roller device of thisinvention which is designated generally by the reference numeral 20 andsuch roller device is particularly adapted for applying liquid meanssuch as a varnish to sheet means of any suitable material such as paper,cardboard, metal, and the like over controlled areas such as overelongated strips of predetermined widths. The roller device 20 hascertain basic component portions which are stocked as standard reuseableitems; yet the roller device has simple and economical liquid-applyingsurface means capable of being used with the reuseable standard items todefine a roller device ofoptimum versatility.

As seen particularly in FIGS. 2 and 4 the roller applicator device orroller device 20 comprises a radially expandable member 21 which hascontinuous annular sleeve means in the form of a plurality of threeannular bands 22 having different axial lengths and each being supportedconcentrically around the expandable member 21. Each sleeve means orannular band 22 has an outer liquid-applying surface 23 which in thisexemplary application is particularly adapted for applying liquidvarnish, or the like.

The roller device 20 has means for expanding and holding the expandablemember 21 against inside surface means or inside friction surface 24 ofeach annular band 22 and such means is designated generally by thereference numeral 25 and will be referred to as expanding means 25. Theexpanding means 25 is of optimum simplicity and enables the expandablemember 21 to be expanded radially outwardly so that its outer peripherymay be arranged at any one of an infinite number of radial positions andas will be described in more detail subsequently.

The radially expandable member 21 is in the form of an elongatedsubstantially tubular member having an outer right circular cylindricalsurface 26, a pair of oppositely arranged ends 27, and a tapered insidesurface 30 which in this example of the invention has a substantiallyfrustoconical configuration, see FIG. 4. The expandable member 21 ispreferably made of a resilient rubberlike material and its outercylindrical surface 26 has a given diameter 31 with the expandablemember 21 in its unexpanded position. The expandable member 21 isexpanded and held by the expanding means 25 to a diameter designated bythe reference numeral 32 in FIG. 3 to thereby urge the cylindricalsurface 26 against the inside surface 24 of each annular band and holdeach annular band 22 firmly in position on the expandable member 21. Theexpanding means 25 may be easily released or unfastened, in a manner tobe subsequently described, whereby the resilient character of thematerial utilized to make the expandable member 21 assures that suchmember is restored to its original configuration having the diameterindicated at 31.

The expanding means 25 comprises tapered means having an outside surfacecorresponding in configuration to the frustoconical inside surface 30 ofthe expandable member 21 and the tapered means in this example of theinvention is shown as a substantially rigid tapered core member 34. Thecore member 34 has a frustoconical outside surface 35 which correspondsto and is adapted to be received within the frustoconical surface 30 ofthe radially expandable member 21 and the core member 34 is adapted tobe moved from the position illustrated at 36 in FIG. 4 and slid axiallywithin the radially expandable member 21 to serve the dual purpose ofsupporting the member 21 and radially expanding such member dependingupon the amount that the core member 34 is axially slid within theexpandable member 21. It will also be appreciated that once the coremember 34 is fastened in position relative movement cannot take placebetween such core member and the expandable member 21.

The expanding means 25 also comprises thread means in the form of athreaded portion 40 provided adjacent the small diameter end of thefrustoconical male or outside surface 35 of the core member 34 andcomprises flange means in the form of an annular flange 41 which isadapted to engage an associated end 27 of the expandable member 21. Theexpanding means 25 also comprises a threaded nut 42 which has femalethreads provided therein which are adapted to be threaded over thethreaded portion 40 so that upon inserting the core member 34 within thetubular expandable member 21 the frustoconical outside surface 35engages the cooperating frustoconical surface 30 of the expandablemember 21 and upon tightening the nut 42 over the threaded portion 40with the annular flange 41 being urged against its associated end 27 ofthe expandable member 21 the net effect is to provide a central supportfor the expandable member 21 while simultaneously radially expanding thecylindrical outer surface 26 against the inside surface 24 of eachannular band 22 and tightly hold each band in position.

During the process of manufacturing the expandable roller 21 and theannular bands 22 it will be appreciated that these parts will be madewithin established tolerance limits; however, the unique construction ofthe roller device of this invention enables the member 21 and the insidediameters of the annular bands 22 to be made to comparatively widetolerance limits. Nevertheless, because the member 21 may be easilyexpanded to an infinite number of radial positions so that it may haveany desired diameter of an infinite number of possible diameters allcomponent parts of the roller device 20 are useable and may be made moreeconomically in mass production quantities.

The core member 34 of the roller device 20 of this invention also hasshaft means shown as a pair of oppositely arranged right circularcylindrical shaft portions 44 provided at opposite ends thereof. Theshaft portions 44 are adapted to rotatably support the core member 34,expandable tubular member 21, and hence the entire roller device 20 withits annular bands 22 in a manner which is well known in the art. Theshaft portions 44 of this example of the invention are shown as beingmade as an integral part of the core member 34.

The exemplary roller device 20 has a drive means in the form of atoothed drive gear 45 which is suitably fixed to the core member 34adjacent an associated shaft portion 44. The gear 45 drives, i.e.,rotates, the roller device 20 and may be engaged by an associateddriving gear which meshes therewith in a known manner. The toothed gear45 is merely presented as an example of a device which may be utilizedto rotate the roller device 20; however, it is to be understood that anysuitable known device may be utilized to rotate such roller device.

As previously indicated in the expandable member 21 is preferably madeof a resilient material which may be in the form of a rubberlikematerial, or the like, and upon utilizing the expanding means 25 toexpand the expandable member 21 radially outwardly the expansion causesannular portions of the right circular cylindrical outer surface 26 tofrictionally engage the inside surfaces 24 of the annular bands 22 andfrictionally hold such bands against axial movement. As the member 21 isexpanded against the comparatively unstretchable bands 22 portions ofmember 21 adjoining opposite side edges 46 of each annular band 22 bulgeoutwardly and as shown at 47, see FIG. 3. The bulging of member 21 asshown at 47 assures that each annular band 22 is held more firmly inposition and against axial movement relative to the expandable 21.

As mentioned earlier each annular band 22 is in the form of thesubstantially unstretchable band which is constructed so that its outerliquid-applying surface 23 is particularly adapted to apply a givenliquid on an associated article, such as a sheet means, which is to becoated with liquid. Further, as seen particularly in FIG. 5 of thedrawings, the inner portion of each band 22 is preferably made of anunstretchable material which may be reinforced with suitable cords 52 toprevent circumferential elongation.

The annular bands 22 may be made by conventional methods such as thoseused in the manufacture of drafting aprons and other textile sleeves andthe cord members 52 may be spirally wound in a known manner so that eachannular band 22 is sufficiently reinforced to assure circumferentialelongation will not occur. The thickness, indicated at 53, of eachannular band 22 is determined based on the intended use of each band 22and such thickness generally takes into account the effective thicknessof the resilient expandable member 21. In addition, the materialsselected for the expandable member 21 and the annular bands 22 take intoaccount the resiliency which is desired for the liquid-applying surfaces23 of the annular bands 22.

The thickness 53 of each annular band 22 is generally the same as thedepth of groove means that would ordinarily be provided in a similarroller applicator formed by conventional techniques. The outsidediameter 31 of the radially expandable member 21 of this invention isalso made so that it will be roughly the same as the original diameterof a conventionally formed roller applicator device minus twice thethickness of the annular band 22.

The exemplary roller device 20 is shown as having a plurality of threeannular bands 22 of different axial lengths arranged concentricallytherearound and each having a length which is substantially less thanthe length of the expandable member 21. However, it is to be understoodthat the length of each band, number of bands, and arrangement of suchbands 22 axially along the elongated member 21 may be varied in anydesired manner and depending upon the application of the roller device20. lt will also be appreciated that a particular roller device may alsobe provided with a single annular band having an axial length which isequal to or substantially smaller than the length of the particularroller device.

The versatility of the roller device of this invention is highlighted inFIG. 6 of the drawings, which illustrates a roller device which isdesignated generally by the reference numeral 20M for convenience andrepresents a modification of the roller device 20 with only differencebeing that only a plurality of two equal width annular bands areprovided concentrically around the roller device 20M. The remainingcomponent portions of the roller device 20M have been given theidentical reference numerals as in the roller device 20 and to highlightthe difference in only the two annular bands such bands are eachdesignated by the reference numeral 22M and each band 22M is providedwith an outer liquid-applying surface 23M.

From the above description it will be apparent that the roller device 20of this invention has optimum versatility and the method utilized inmaking such roller device assures provision of a roller applicatordevice which has a readily changeable liquid-applying outer surface.Thus it is only necessary for a printer to merely stock sleeve means orannular bands similar to the annular bands 22 and 22M and when it isdesired to change the outer liquid-applying surface of a particularroller device for a given application it is merely necessary to loosenthe nut 42 and move the core member 34 axially relative to theexpandable member 21, causing the frustoconical surface 35 of the coremember 34 to move away from the frustoconical inside surface 30 of themember 21 whereby the resilient character of the expandable member 21causes the right circular cylindrical surface 26 to be restored to itsoriginal diameter 31 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

With cylindrical surface 26 restored to its original diameter, it isthen a simple matter to position along the cylindrical outer surface 26of the member 21 and again tighten the nut 42 whereby the new annularbands are held in position by friction and the bulging action asindicated at 47 in P16. 3. The positions of the annular bands 22 beingused for a particular application may also be readily adjusted along theouter cylindrical surface 26 merely by loosening the nut 42 and thenagain tightening such nut with the annular bands at their new positions.

The core member 34 may be made of any suitable comparatively inexpensivematerial such as a hard plastic or a metallic material. Also, to furtherreduce costs, a printer may stock members 21 which can be expanded tocomparatively larger diameters whereby such printer may also carryunstretchable bands of different diameters, within predetermined limits,whereby roller applicators of different outside diameters may be readilyavailable to the printer by stocking a bare minimum of component parts.

As previously explained, the roller device of this invention may be madevery inexpensively because its components can be made to loosertolerances without detriment to the overall performance of such device.To further minimize operating costs associated with the device of thisinvention marking means may be provided on the outer periphery of theright circular cylindrical surface 26 of the expandable member 21 to aidin the precise placement of the annular bands 22. The marking means maybe in the form of circumferential lines and once a job has been startedit would not be necessary to completely change the set up of the machineif it is desired to change the location at which a strip of liquid, suchas varnish,

is being applied against an associated sheet; instead the bands would beprecisely shifted with the aid of the marking means.

While present exemplary embodiments of this invention, have beenillustrated and described, it will be recognized that this invention maybe otherwise variously embodied an practiced within the scope of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. A roller device for applying liquid means, comprising; a radiallyexpandable substantially tubular member made of a resilient rubberlikematerial and having a tapered inside surface; annular sleeve meanshaving an outer liquid-applying surface; and expanding tapered meanshaving an outside surface corresponding in configuration with and beingadapted to engage said inside surface to radially expand said memberagainst the inside surface of said sleeve means to hold said sleevemeans firmly in position.

2. A roller device for applying liquid means, comprising; a radiallyexpandable substantially tubular member made of a resilient material andhaving a substantially frustoconical inside surface; annular sleevemeans having an outer liquid-applying surface; and expanding meanscomprising a rigid core member having a frustoconical outside surfacecorresponding in configuration to said inside surface; said core memberbeing axially movable relative to said expandable member, causing saidoutside surface to wedge against said inside surface and radially expandsaid expandable member against the inside surface of said sleeve meansto hold said sleeve means firmly in position.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 in which said tubular member has agenerally cylindrical outer surface and said annular sleeve meanscomprises a substantially unstretchable band having a length smallerthan the length of said tubular member, said band being adapted to bereadily positioned to an infinite number of axial positions along thelength of said expandable member.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 in which said radially expandablemember is expanded against said inside surface means of saidsubstantially unstretchable band causing portions of the outer surfaceof said expandable member to bulge outwardly against opposite sideportions of said unstretchable band.

5. A device as set forth in claim 2 in which said core member has shaftmeans extending from opposite ends thereof, said shaft means beingadapted to rotatably support said device.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5 and further comprising drive meansfixed to said core member to enable rotation of said core member andhence said device.

7. A device as set forth in claim 2 in which said expanding meanscomprises thread means adjacent the small diameter end of saidfrustoconical outside surface of said core member and means threadedlyengaging said thread means an contacting an associated end of saidradially expandable member to provide adjustable radial expansion ofsaid expandable member to an infinite number of radial positions.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7 in which said means threadedlyengaging said thread means and contacting said associated end comprisedan annular flange engaging said associated end and a threaded nutengaging said thread means and urging said annular flange tightlyagainst said associated end.

" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 569 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,590,452 Dated Juli 6, 1971 Inventor(s) John A. Macleod.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 41, delete "in" Column 4, line 54, after "position insertnew annular bands at any desired axial position Column 5, line 15,change "an" to and Claim 7, line 4, change "an to and Claim 8, line 3,change "comprised" to comprises Signed and sealed this 11th day of April1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOI'TSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. A roller device for applying liquid means, comprising; a radiallyexpandable substantially tubular member made of a resilient rubberlikematerial and having a tapered inside surface; annular sleeve meanshaving an outer liquid-applying surface; and expanding tapered meanshaving an outside surface corresponding in configuration with and beingadapted to engage said inside surface to radially expand said memberagainst the inside surface of said sleeve means to hold said sleevemeans firmly in position.
 2. A roller device for applying liquid means,comprising; a radially expandable substantially tubular member made of aresilient material and having a substantially frustoconical insidesurface; annular sleeve means having an outer liquid-applying surface;and expanding means comprising a rigid core member having afrustoconical outside surface corresponding in configuration to saidinside surface; said core member being axially movable relative to saidexpandable member, causing said outside surface to wedge against saidinside surface and radially expand said expandable member against theinside surface of said sleeve means to hold said sleeve means firmly inposition.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 2 in which said tubularmember has a generally cylindrical outer surface and said annular sleevemeans comprises a substantially unstretchable band having a lengthsmaller than the length of said tubular member, said band being adaptedto be readily positioned to an infinite number of axial positions alongthe length of said expandable member.
 4. A device as set forth in claim3 in which said radially expandable member is expanded aGainst saidinside surface means of said substantially unstretchable band causingportions of the outer surface of said expandable member to bulgeoutwardly against opposite side portions of said unstretchable band. 5.A device as set forth in claim 2 in which said core member has shaftmeans extending from opposite ends thereof, said shaft means beingadapted to rotatably support said device.
 6. A device as set forth inclaim 5 and further comprising drive means fixed to said core member toenable rotation of said core member and hence said device.
 7. A deviceas set forth in claim 2 in which said expanding means comprises threadmeans adjacent the small diameter end of said frustoconical outsidesurface of said core member and means threadedly engaging said threadmeans an contacting an associated end of said radially expandable memberto provide adjustable radial expansion of said expandable member to aninfinite number of radial positions.
 8. A device as set forth in claim 7in which said means threadedly engaging said thread means and contactingsaid associated end comprised an annular flange engaging said associatedend and a threaded nut engaging said thread means and urging saidannular flange tightly against said associated end.